Logistics Plus Having Fun While Working Worldwide

Logistics Plus is a worldwide company specializing in shipping and supply chain management for hundreds of companies around the globe. But it didn't start that way. In fact, CEO Jim Berlin started the company in 1996, handling inbound transportation for just one familiar corporation in town, GE.

Wednesday, February 29th 2012, 10:54 PM EST

Updated:

Tuesday, March 20th 2012, 4:14 PM EDT

Logistics Plus is a worldwide company specializing in shipping and supply chain management for hundreds of companies around the globe. But it didn't start that way. In fact, CEO Jim Berlin started the company in 1996, handling inbound transportation for just one familiar corporation in town, GE.

"GE went around the world to globalize and took us with them. So we were there from the very beginning and that's how we began. I always joke that we were never GE but we were taken from GE's rib," said Berlin.

They're now in 18 countries making sure products get from point A to point B.

"If you make a good product and the world wants it, we can bring it there. You don't have to hire someone to learn how to export to China or to Kazakhstan or to South Africa. We know how to do that," said Berlin.

"When people say there's not a way, we find a way. We pick it up from the day of pickup and we trace it all the way until the day it delivers," said logistics specialist Jessica Konieczki.

The company is headquartered in the historic Union Station building in downtown Erie. They moved here in 2004. Berlin says the building captures the company's spirit. It was once the center for Erie's transportation. Now it's the center for Erie's leading transportation company.

"We kind of took a leap of faith and we bought it. We had it renovated in six months because we had to be moved in and we got it done right on time. Everything worked," he said.

Now when you walk around the old train station, you'll find many of the historic artifacts still inside. But what you'll also find are specialized offices where workers from all backgrounds spend their days making sure their customers products are getting where they need to go. You'll also find a lot of crazy pictures in the halls, and smiles all around.

"It's hardcore work but we always have fun at the end of the day. I enjoy coming to work, honestly. I know a lot of people don't say that but I do. And it goes by so fast. It's long but it goes by really fast," said Konieczki.

Berlin would have it no other way. He says the fun atmosphere keeps his employees coming back.

"I used to be a truck driver and there's times I went to work and said, 'I hate this, I hate coming into work, some of these guys, I can't take it.' And now it's the opposite. The people here have a great comradery, we go out a lot, have a lot of fun together," said Berlin.

They must be doing something right. Logistics Plus did $90 million in sales last year alone. And it continues to put Erie on the map.

"A lot more people know about Erie now since we've been out there than they did before," said Berlin.